Scientific Investigation

- Method used by the scientist to try and find answer to a questions.

- A step by step process to solve a problem or answer a question

7 Steps of Scientific Investigation or Scientific Method

1. Identify the problem
- The first step of scientific method or scientific investigation
- It begins with a question or a problem

2. make an observation
- A process using the senses (listening/hearing, tasting, smelling, seeing,
feelings)
Two types:
a. qualitative-uses the senses
example: color, sounds, shape
a. quantitative-involves numbers

3. make a hypothesis
- steps in the scientific investigation known as an educated or scientific guess
(Hypothesis-educated guess)

4. test the hypothesis

- After testing hypothesis or experimentation you can tell that your hypothesis is
correct or wrong.
Variables:
Independent- can be changed or manipulated, or the cause of change in the
result of the experiment.
Examples: Amount of water, amount of sunlight, amount of fertilizer, type of
fertilizer, amount of vitamins, temperature
Dependent- the effect that is measured during an experiment or the
responding variable.
Examples: Height, Number of leaves, Number of flowers, Number of fruits,
weight

5. organize and analyze results

- Data gathered during experimentation is recorded, organized and analyzed in a
table, bar graph, line graph or pie graph.
- The purpose of data analysis is to interpret data.

6. draw conclusions
- A summary of findings or data and focused that the data supports the
hypothesis.
- General statement based on observations and investigations

7. communicate results
- share the result
- last step of scientific investigation